Saint Anne Martinique

Malua
Harry Watson Smith
Mon 28 Jan 2013 11:31
Malua is at 14:26.27N 60:53.03W at Saint Anne on Martinique on 27/01/2013
We changed the flight for Denny to leave from St Lucia rather than Barbados which would have meant that we would have sailed against the wind and then get the bus to the airport. Instead we dropped anchor in Rodney bay just outside the marina and had a few easy days in that lovely bay.
The airport in St Lucia is in the south of the island almost 60 kn away. The Taxis in the madina have the business sew-up. They quote you US dollars which range from 80 to 110. There is no negotiating with them - take it or leave it and in most cases people are willing to pay the high prices.
We on the other had took the local bus just outside the marine into Castries where I selected a good looking taxi and stood by it. The driver approached and we negotiated what I think is a very good price in EC 170 which is about US$62. Charlie the drive took us all the way south to Vieux Fort and the airport of Hewanorra. Denny checked in to the American Airlines and before I knew it was inside the departure lounge waiting for the flight to Miami, LA and finally Sydney.
I walked to the main road right outside the airport and the first bus arrived within seconds and I was off back to Castries for the full price of 8 EC about US$3. A very pleasant ride right back into the main town. Then a bus to the marina.
I took the dinghy back to Malua and went aboard. Only then did the enormity of what I have in front of me really hit. It is going to be a long lonely sail north.
The next day was Australia day and the marina held a few functions to help- celebrate Australia day but it appeared only 3 Ozzies turned up. Quite a turn around from the previous year when it was full of Ozzie sailors. Oh well those that where there drank the allotted quote of beer.
I checked out and left the next day soon after the sun came up. As predicted the wind blew strongly at the end of the island and the seas were rather choppy but after about an hour the sea settled and the wind decreased. A rain squall greeted me as I approached Saint Anne on Martinique but it soon passed and I dropped anchor right off the dinghy dock.
A magical moment on Malua